Dazed

Page 11

Dazed is a short story about a young farmer struggling to be a better husband and be more understanding to his wife. He comes to see that the gifts and abilities God has given us are for His glory. Our hopes and dreams may change with time and we may not realize them all. But, as we yield to Christ, He will create new dreams in us and give us the desires of our heart.

Excerpt

The quiet enveloped him and pressed him down toward the snow. He felt so tired. Confused. Dull. Pointless. Like a man discarding a heavy cloak, he shook himself. He looked upward once more, and wisps of steam rose with words no louder than a sigh, “Help me.”

One more passage came to him, this one written thousands of years earlier by another bewildered man. “There are three things that are amazing to me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas and the way of a man with a maiden.”2

He spoke again, louder this time, “Not really helpful. I already know that I don’t understand. I’m asking for help. Didn’t You say if any man lacked wisdom he should ask? Well, hello?”

No hum from the stars and no answers from God.

Kevin Dautremont’s Bio

Kevin Dautremont is married with four children and is a family physician in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He is part of a group of doctors who all try to combine their faith with good medical care. Kevin is a full service family doctor, doing everything from delivering babies to caring for nursing home patients, and is active in his church and his community. In 2008, he was named the Best New Canadian Christian Author by The Word Guild and Castle Quay books for his as yet unpublished novel, The Golden Conquest.

Why did I write it?

As a married man, I realized a long time ago that I will never fully understand my wife or any woman. However, I have also realized that if I listen to the Lord and open myself to His leading, I will be able to get a bit closer. This story is about that.

Twenty-five Years Later

Page 81

“Twenty-five Years Later” is a glimpse into the life of Mariane Klein, a reserved, forty-seven-year-old former missionary who reluctantly agrees to attend a weekend reunion with three college roommates. The weekend ends up being life-changing.

Excerpt:

“What was I thinking?” Since Mariane Klein was alone in the rented Ford Taurus, her words drifted in the air with no hope of response. Alfred and Merlin, the German shepherds she’d adopted from a rescue shelter, were back in Regina being spoiled by her next-door neighbour.

“Lord, I just want to turn around and pretend something came up. Some kind of emergency—maybe one of the dogs could have puppies.” She sighed. Right. Both dogs are male. Anyway, there was no use trying; she’d never been able to lie with even a modicum of conviction. But now might be a good time to try.

Just the thought of the weekend ahead made her queasy. Four women, all in their late forties, getting together for an entire weekend after 25 years of silence… Why, oh why, had she agreed?

It had been Charlie’s idea, of course. Charlie, short for Charlene, the petite blonde sparkplug whose mind had always overflowed with ideas. Tall, mocha-skinned Drew would coolly evaluate Charlie’s ideas and choose the best of them. Then ponytailed Tess, the youngest member of a large Italian family, would put on her brown-rimmed glasses, flesh out the ideas, and see that they were carried out.

And Mariane? The Mariane of old was a dumpy, mousey-haired, tongue-tied nobody who nervously went along with whatever the others decided, grateful to be included, daily expecting the others would suggest she find new friends….

After graduation, all four of them got busy with life, and they lost touch… until a few weeks ago, when Tess had found Mariane on Facebook. Truth be told, when Mariane had seen a “Friend Request” from someone named Tess Stratton, she’d almost ignored it. But something made her take a closer look at the photo, and she’d realized with a start that Tess Stratton was actually Tess Luciani, all grown up and presumably married.

Mariane’s heart had sunk to the vicinity of her toes. Those college days were so long ago; she had no desire to remember them, much less recreate them. But to refuse to acknowledge Tess, who had always been kind to her, would be like slapping Arthur or Merlin for jumping up to greet her when she came home after a trip. There are some things you just can’t do.

After a quick prayer (Oh, Lord, stop me if this is a mistake), Mariane had closed her eyes and hit “Confirm.”

N. J. Lindquist’s Bio

N. J. Lindquist is an award-winning author and inspirational speaker who loves seeing people freed from the hurts of their past and empowered to serve God joyfully and effectively. She is the author of 10 books and co-editor of the Hot Apple Cider series.

Why did I write it?

For the first book, I wrote two true personal experience stories. Since I’m better known as a novelist, I decided that for the second book I needed to write fiction. I decided to set my story in Winnipeg (I’m originally from Manitoba) and to put four women who hadn’t seen each other for 25 years together and see what happened. The result is a tear-jerker which gets me every time I read it.

Mrs. Onley’s Funeral

Page 110

Mrs. Onley’s Funeral introduces the reader to Florence Onley, a woman of a formidable determination and strength of character. As often happens, a clear well-rounded sense of who a person is doesn’t become clear until after his or her death. In the aftermath of a tragi-comic occurrence at her funeral, memories of the deceased pour out and the mourners end up celebrating a life which was much richer and broader than they had imagined.

Here’s how the story begins: “It seemed to be taking Florence Onley forever to die. The old woman had kept people waiting all her life, and even though her family was exhausted from trying to look after her, she wasn’t about to change any time soon. Nor was she going to fade away quietly. Having enjoyed 87 years without spending a single night in a hospital, Florence, or “Mrs. Onley” as she preferred, deeply resented the broken hip that had felled her. Even more, she resented the ensuing pneumonia that had filled her lungs and was slowly draining the life out of her. But Mrs. Onley was no quitter. Not ever. Not now.”

Ron Hughes’ Bio

Ron Hughes has been involved in the media all of his professional life. As a radio producer, he had conversations with hundreds of people from all kinds of backgrounds. He and his wife lived in Ecuador for 10 years and in his role as president of FBH International (a media ministry), he has travelled to half a dozen other countries. He has been a keen observer of people, their predicaments and their responses to them.

Why Did I Write It?

I wrote the short story, “Mrs. Onley’s Funeral,” to explore two main themes: that our perceptions of others fall far short and that humour has a way of inserting itself in even them most solemn of occasions. The kernel of the story was suggested by a real-life experience of a pastor friend.

Bannock and Sweet Tea

Bannock and Sweet Tea won two awards at the 2012 Canadian Christian Writing Awards in Toronto, ON. They were in the category of “short story” and “general readership.”

An Excerpt from the Chapter

“The dough is soft and pliable, absorbing warmth from my hands as I gently mold and shape it. It is my work but my pleasure, too, anticipating the smiles of my children, knowing their tummies will be full and their hearts satisfied.

“The door opens and they burst in, laughing, scolding and teasing, each wanting to tell me a bit of what they have discovered about the world, themselves or each other. I listen to each one as I serve bannock and sweet tea.”

M.D. Meyer’s Bio

Dorene Meyer is the author of eight novels, two children’s books and a reference book entitled Meet Manitoba Children’s Authors. Besides being a contributor to Hot Apple Cider, A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider and Measured Words, Dorene has edited and published thirteen anthologies: six with adults, three with teens and four with children.

Her many other writing credits include: editorial, reviews, news, feature articles, profiles, script-writing and poetry. Using this wide variety of writing experience, Dorene teaches classes that provide encouragement and practical help to writers of all genres.

As owner of Goldrock Press, Meyer has also published various books written by authors whom she has mentored including Tansi by Flora Rideout, Christmas on the Trapline by Brenda Fontaine, The Loner by Dana L. Coates, Hauntings by David Yerex Williamson, and A Northern Writer by Benjamin Paul.

Dorene has won several awards and received various grants for her writing. She is also a part-time instructor at University College of the North in Norway House, where she resides.

Why did you write it?

This is a story that has been working its way out of my heart and onto the paper for most of my life. I spent the first four years of my life in a First Nations community then my mother was a foster parent to hundreds of First Nations children. Today, I once again live and work in a First Nations community.

Bannock and Sweet Tea is about a woman named Gracie. It is her story. But it is also my story, and yours, too. There is no us and them; there is only us.